Means for flowing fluids under pressure



.1. D. NIXON 2,171,478

MEANS FOR FLOWING FLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5,1938 grwc/nm I D Nixon 5 Aug. 29, 1939. .1. D. NIXON MEANS FOR FLOWINGFLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE Filed May 5, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jeday 0. M

MOI/"MA 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 29, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR FLOWINGFLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE Filed May 5, 1938 Aug. 29, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANSFOR FLOWING FLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1938Jeddy Dr Nixon airman;

Patented Aug. 29, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR FLOWINGFLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE Jeddy D. Nixon, Houston, Tex., assignor of onehalf to Wilson Supply Company, Houston, Tex. a corporation of TexasApplication May 5, 1938, Serial No. 206,101

24 Claims. (Cl. 103-232) This invention relates to new and useful imvideapparatus wherein a small quantity of the provements in means forflowing fluids under high pressure fluid is by-passed at low workingpressure; pressure and intermittently released to control One object ofthe invention is to provide certhe flow of the working fluid at a lowpressure tain improvements in the means set forth in my and the supplythereof to the actuating mech- 5 co-pending applications Serial No.241,040 filed anism.

November 17, 1938 and Serial No. 239,348 flled An important object ofthe invention is to pro- November 7, 1938. vide an apparatus wherein alow pressure actu- The foregoing means involved metering or reatingfluid is by-passed around a spring loaded ducing the pressure fluid andutilizing it at a resupply valve and applied against said valve to l.duced pressure to supply the full fluid pressure ma tain a predeterminedlow pre e; to t e to the work until the working or flowing preswithmeans for intermittently applyinz the bysure was built up to overcomethe said reduced passed pressure fluidto a spring loaded feed valvepressure; however, in .each instance heads of to feed the actuatingfluid at low pressure to 16 pressure were accumulated in confined areas.means for admitting the supply of high pressure 5 Both of the foregoingapplications set forth apfluid to the'work, in combination with arelease paratus wherein the full pressure of the working valve arrangedto be actuated by the flowing or lifting fluid was applied to thecontrolling elepressure of the fluids being flowed to release the ment,which in the first application was a meterlow pressure actuating fluidand operate said last :0 ing valve and which in the second applicationwas named means to cut oil! the supply of high presgo a time controlledneedle valve. While these two sure fluid. elements operated to meter theflow of the pres A construction designed to carry out the inven- I surefluid (gas), the entire apparatus was subtion will be hereinafterdescribed, together with jected to a more or less high fluid pressureand other features of the invention.

some difficulty was experienced in regulating the I The invention willbe more readily understood 2,5 apparatus so that a uniform operation wasobfrom a reading of the following specification and tained. Further,owing to the comparatively by reference to the accompany s drawings,inlarge volume of pressure fluid accumulated and which an example of theinvention is shown, the metering of the fluid from one container to andwherein:

so another, whereby the pressure was considerably Figure 1 is a view,partly in elevation and 80 reduced, moisture in the pressure fluid,particupartly in section, showingan apparatus conlarly condensation,caused freezing and impeded structed in accordance with the invention,parts the operation. While both of the'apparatusesopof the elementsbeing illustrated as broken to erated, they were not fully satisfactoryin all condense the view: as respects. Figure 2 is an enlarged, uprightview of the Because of the foregoing, the instrumentalities controlmechanism or unit, partly in elevation employed were more or lesscomplicated, cumberand partly in section; I some, or scattered and moreor less floor space Figure 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view androom was required to accommodate the apof the control valve block; 4oparatuses. Figure 4 is a side elevation of the control unit One objectof the invention is to provide an imand its stand; proved apparatuswherein the accumulation of Figure 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectionalview high pressure fluid is eliminated and the conof the feed valve;trolling step is performed under low pressure. Figure 6 is a view of therelease valve, partly in 5 A further object of the invention is toprovide section and partly in elevation;

an improved apparatus wherein no quantities of Figure 7 is a plan viewof the apparatus applied pressure fluid are accumulated and freezing isto a well, the derrick being in section and parts eliminated. beingomitted; and

An important object of the invention is to pro- Figure 8 is an enlarged,vertical sectional view vide a control mechanism which will be much ofthe supply valve. 50 more simple and compact than those h'eretoforeInthe drawings the numeral ll designates the employed, and wherein thetime controlled actuwell head (Figures 1 and 7) which is mounted onating valve will be subjected only to the low the casing II, andsupports the tubing II. The working pressure of the mechanism. usualliquid or well, column flow line I! extends Still another object of theinvention is to profrom the tubing between the head and a stuffing 55box ll. As the mechanism above the stufling box isv substantially thesame as the mechanism shown in my co-pending application Serial No.241,040, and is subject to variation, it will not be described indetail.

As set forth in my co-pending applications, a lifting fluid under highpressure, for instance from 250 pounds to 1000 pounds, per square inch,is supplied from a suitable source through a pipe I! to the head II.This lifting fluid flows into the casing ii and its admission to thetubing l2 in the well, may be controlled by an actuator 33' erating awire line 33, as is fully explained inmy co-pending application, SerialNo. 241,040.

A reduced pipe ii is connected with the high pressure fluid supply pipeIii and leads to a control unit (Figures 1, 2 and 4). The unit includesa housing l3 mounted on a stand l3 which is securely fastened to thederrick floor 20. The housing has a hinged cover on its front side. Thebase of the stand I! is comparatively small, so that the unit occupieslittle floor space and the housing is elevated so as to be readilyaccessible.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the pipe l3 entersthe lower left hand side of the housing i3 and connects to a supply orregulator valve A. A pipe 2| leads across the bottom of the housing(Figure 2) from the valve A, and has connected therein a feed valve B,which is located at the center of the bottom of the housing i3. Acontinuation 22 of the pipe 2| extends uprightly in the housing and inturn connects to a further horizontal extension 23, which is carriedlaterally through the right side wall of the housing. The pipe 2| andits extensions 22 and 23 will be hereinafter referred to as the feedpipe, as will also any further extensions connected thereto.

A four-way coupling 23 is connected in the extension 23 and has mountedon its upper side a relief valve C, while a release valve D is connected'to the underside of said coupling. The valves A, B and D are of thespring loaded, diaphragm type, the valve A being shown in detail inFigure 8, while the valve B is fully illustrated in Figure 5. The valveA has a by-pass, which will be hereinafter described, so that thepressure fluid metered through the seat 26 of said valve is applied at alow pressure on top of the diaphram 21 to close the valve in oppositionto the spring 23 which tends to open the valve.

The by-passed pressure fluid is also supplied to a tube 23 which leadsto a control valve E similar to the valve in my co-pending application,Serial No. 239,348, and this valve is operated by a time controlleddevice 'F, such as is shown in said application all of which ishereinafter fully described. A tube 30 leads from the valve E, and whenthe latter is opened, supplies the by-passed pressure fluid to thediaphragm 3| of the valve B to open the same in opposition to itsclosing spring 32. From the foregoing, it will be seen that by reducing,the pressure of the by-passed fluid to a pressure much less than theoperating pressure, thecontrol valve E and its time controlled device F,operate against a low pressure and a more uniform control and regulationmay be had..

The feed pipe extension 23 is connected by a pipe 85 with the actuator33. When the valve E is opened by the time mechanism, the valves A and Bare opened, and the reduced pressure fluid flowing through the valve Awill be conducted by the feed pipe to the actuator 33', which isoperated to lift the wire line 39' and any suitable element (not shown)connected thereto in said tubing. when the piston (not shown) in theactuator reaches the upper end of its stroke, theliftingiiuidinsaidcasingllisadmittedinto said tubing II to lift the wellfluid, as in my above mentioned co-pending applications. As the pressurein the actuator, the feed pipe and its extensions, the valves A and Band on top of the diaphragms 21 and 3| is com up, the valve A is closedagainst the action of the spring 23-and further flow through the valve Aand the feed pipe will be terminated and consequently, the pressuresin'the unit will be balanced, whereby the valve E will drop to a closedposition. The valve B is then closed which will trap the low pressurefluid in the feed pipe and the actuator 33 and maintain said actuator inits upper position, as in the aforesaid applications. Furtherdescription will be given of the details and variations.

The well pipe I3 is connected with a pipe 32 which enters the bottom ofthe housing and applies the flowing pressure of the fluids beingdischarged from the well, against the diaphragm 34 of the valve D toopen said valve in opposition to its closing spring 35. A pressurerelease pipe 36 extends from the valve D through the right hand side ofthe housing l3. When the flowing pressure reaches a predetermineddegree, the valve D is opened and vented to the atmosphere, whereby thepressure fluid trapped in the feed pipe and in the actuator is released.The release is gradual owing to the small size of the pipe 38 and thepet cock II for controlling the escape of said pressure fluidtherethrough, so that the actuator is slowly lowered to cut off theadmission of high pressure fluid from said casing to said well tubing.Referring to Figures 2 and 8, it will be seen that the valve A isprovided with a tubular stem 26 having its lower end tapered forengaging in the metering seat 23. Just above this seat, the stem isprovided with a port 31 which communicates with the bore or passage 33of said stem, whereby a portion of any fluid metered through said seatenters the bore 33 of said stem. This stem 23' extends upwardly througha. hanger or support 33 for the spring 23 and a piston or disk 40 isscrewed on to the upper portion of said stem adjacent the underside ofthe diaphragm 21, which is fastened in the housing 4|. It is pointed outthat the upper end of said spring 23 bears against the underside of thedisk, as shown in Figure 8. The disk 40 is supported by and sustains thecompression of the spring 23 which rests upon the hanger 33. The hangeris adjustable, whereby the compression on the spring 23 may be varied.The stem also extends up through said diaphragm and receives a nut 42,whereby said diaphragm is securely clamped to the disk 40.

A T-coupiing 43 is connected in the top of the housing 3| and in turn isconnected to the tube 29. The housing 4| is supported by a pair ofupright standards 44 extending from the valve A.

A suitable pressure gage 43 may be mounted on the T-coupling 43. Thespring 23 is set to open the valve A by lifting the valve stemsufllciently to admit a restricted flow of fluid through the seat 26.The feed valve B being closed, the pressure fluid will flll the pipe 2|between the valves A and B and enter the bore of the stem 23 by way ofthe port 31, whereby it will be try-passed to the housing II and flowinto the tube 23 up to the valve E. When suflicient fluid hasaccumulated above the diaphragm 21 to overcome the spring 23, saiddiaphragm will be depressed and the valve A thus closed. The by-passedpressure fluid is thus above the diaphragm. in the pipe 2| and the bore38 of the stem. Should this trapped pressure at any time leak out, thespring 28 will open the valve A and replenish the same.

The valve B, shown in detail in Figure 5, is of somewhat similarconstruction to valve A and the same reference numerals will be used todesignate like parts. The valve has a small seat 48 through which thestem 46' passes. This stem carries a valve head 41 having a flatunderside of considerable more area than the seat 46, and provided witha beveled shoulder engaging the underside of the seat for closing thesame. .The flat underside of the head 41 offers sufllcient area to thepressure below said head, that such pressure may assist in seating saidvalve against alike or even greater pressure above said seat.

The stem 46' is attached to the diaphragm 3|, which is depressed to openthe valve B against the compression of the spring 32. It is pointed outthat the valve A is sprung opened, while the valve B is sprung closed.The tube 30 has one end fastened to the top of the housing ll of thevalve B. Whenever the valve E is open, the pressure trapped in the tube29 and in' the housing ll of the valve A flows into the tube 30 anddepresses the diaphragm 3!, whereby the valve 13 is opened and pressurefluid is then permitted to flow through the feed pip 2|, 22, 23 and 85.This opening of the valve E'causes a pressure drop above the diaphragm21 of the valve A, whereby the latter is opened and additional fluidwill enter the system from the pipe I to build up the pressure in thefeed pipe, the actuator 8|, tubes 29 and 30, valves A and B, housings 4|and H and the bore 38 of the stem 28.

The valve E, as shown in Figures ,2 and 3, includes a valve block 50having a thimble ll screwed into its bottom for attaching the tube 2!. Avalve seat 52 is located above the thimble and at the bottom of anenlarged bore 83, substantially the same, as in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 239,348. The bore Bl extends to the top or theblock 50 and has its upper end screw threaded to receive an elonagtedplug or bushing 54 which has an axial duct or bore 55 extendingdownwardly from its top to a counter bore or valve chamber 56.

A needle valve 51 housed in the valve chamber 56 is adapted to undergo alimited sliding movement therein and to engage the seat 52 and anelongate valve rod or stem 58 extending up through the duct 55 engagesthe upper end of the needle valve but has no fixed connection therewith.As will be seen in Figure 3, said needle valve and the stem 58 each havea loose sliding flt in the valve chamber 56 and duct I5 respectively, sothat the pressure .fluid may see'p therealong and escape irom within theblock Ill. Maniiestly, when said valve stem 58 is moved downwardly, itslower end resting upon said needle valve, will move said valvedownwardly so that its conical point engages in the seat 52 and closesthe reduced port beneath said seat. 30 long as said stem is in itslowermost position, it will hold said valve in a eated position, whichwill positively prevent a flow of fluid from the pipe 29 into the bore53. When the pressure onthe upper. end of said valve stem is released orreduced, the pressure of the fluid in the pipe 2! acting against theunderside of said valve will move said valve and said stem upwardly inthe chamber 5' and duct 55. It is noted that the upward movement oi saidvalve 51 will be limited by the upper end of said valve striking theupper end of said chamber and as this upward movement ceases, the upwardmovement of the valve stem will alsoterminate. The bore II also has alateral port II receiving a thimble I, whereby the tube 30 is connectedto said block. When the valve E has been opened and the valve B alsoopened, the pressure of the fluid in the tubes 29 and 30 will be reducedand the fluid by seeping along the valve 81 and stem 58 will furtherreduce this pressure, permitting the valve A to open and supplysuflicient pressure fluid to operate the actuator 80' and maintain thepredetermined pressure desired in the unit.

The timing device F andcontrol mechanism associated therewith is thesame as in my aiore-, said application. The timing device consists of asuitable time clock (not shown) mounted in a housing I! and havingadriving shaft I extend-' ing therefrom through the housing and clockwheel 62 is mounted on said shaft so as to revolve therewith. A smallroller 'II for riding on the periphery of the wheel 62 is journaled inthe upper end of an upright arm ll, which has a swinging connection witha horizontally disposed lever 18 pivoted in one corner of the block Ill.Due to its pivotal mounting, the lever 1! tends to swing downwardly atall times and is supported only by the valve stem ll (Figures 2 and 3)whereby the weight of said lever, said arm ll androller I1 is imposedupon said stem and said needle valve 51 to hold the latter in its seatedposition. In order for said needle valve to open, the pressure belowsaid valve must be suiflcient to lift said" lever 19, said arm I. androller TI.

The clock wheel 02 has notches ll cut in its periphery and as said wheelrevolves in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 2), said roller 11riding on the periphery of said wheel will enter said notches, as saidwheel revolves. It is pointed out that the spring Cl is adjusted so thatwhen the roller is riding the periphery of said wheel between saidnotches, the needle valve will not be lifted oflf its seat by thepressure therebelow. However, when said roller enters one of saidnotches, the tension of said spring is reduced sufliciently so that thepressure of the fluid below said needle valve will lift said valve 51,lever I9, arm I8 and roller 11, thereby permitting the pressure trappedin the pipe 2| to flow into pipe 30, into the cap 4| onto the diaphramII and open the valve 3. As the pressure equalizes in the pipes 29 and30, said needle valve 51 will drop to a closed position and thecontinued revolving of the clock wheel 82 will lock or hold said valvein its closed position. The pressure fluid in the pipe 30 will seepalong the valve ll and stem SI, and as the pressure fluid in said pipeand the housing II is depleted, the valve B will gradually close. Thepressure differential across the valve head 4! and the diaphragm 3|together with the tension of the spring 32 closes said valve B, whichtraps the pressure fluid in the feed pipe 23 and the actuator untilreleased by the opening of the alve D.

The valve D is shown in Figures 2 and 6 and includes a case I having anupstanding, tubular pin' l4 whichv is externally screw threaded toreceive a cap 65 into which the nipple 2S screws. The case 63 has acounterbore 66 with a seat 01 at its upper end. Astem 68 extends throughsaid case and bore '6 and is provided with a valve head 00, similar tothe head 41, mounted on the upper end of the stem 68 and closes downonto the seat "I. A port ll extends laterally from the bore II and thesmall release pipe I! is connected therein, so that the release of thepressure fluid from the feed pipe may be controlled and the piston (notshown) of the actuator ll, thus lowered at the desired rate of speed.

The diaphragm 34 of the valve D is supported in a housing ll" like thediaphragm 21 and II and the operating parts are the sameas in the valvesA and B. The pipe 33 conducting the well fluids under flowing pressure,is connected to the valve housing ll", which is inverted with relationto the other valves, and thus the diaphragm 34 is moved upwardly to openthe valve D against the combined closing action of the spring 35 and.the pressure differential across the valve head 69. Whenever thepressure of the well fluids builds up sufliciently to overcome theforegoing, the valve D will be opened. The pressure fluid in the lowerportion of the valve B, the feed pipe 2|, 22, 23 and 85, the actuator86', the coupling 24, the nipple 25 and the valve D above the valve head69 will be vented to the atmosphere through the pipe 36 and pet cock Il. The valve C includes a valve case 12 screwed into the coupling 24 andnipple l3 screwed into the upper end of the case loosely confines avalve ball 14. When the valve B has been closed and the pressure fluidin said feed pipe and related structure is reduced, the valve ball Itfalls and opens the valve C so as to vent the feed pipe to theatmosphere. The valve C is provided in case a small leak occurs in thevalve B and thereby prevents the building up of a. pressure in the feedpipe and the actuator, which would lift the piston (not shown) in theactuator, at a time not desired. It is pointed out that with theprovision of the valve C, the actuation of the actuator can bepredetermined and regulated as desired. The valve C readily closeswhenever a volume of pressure fluid enters the same, such as when thevalve B is opened.

A complete cycle of operation of said apparatus is as follows: Normallythe wire line 99 and the piston (not shown) of the actuator are at theirlowermost positions. High pressure fluid is supplied from the pipe i5(Figures 1 and 7) to the well casing ii and the pipe it from which itflows into the supply valve A in the unit H. The spring 28 normallyholds the stem 26 011! the seat 26 and the pressure fluid will bemetered through said seat at a considerable reduction in pressure andby-passed through the stem to the housing Ii above the diaphragm 21 andinto the pipe 28, the valve E being closed. When the predeterminedpressure has been built up, said dia phragm will be depressed and thevalve A closed.

When the wheel 62 of the timing device F revolves to a point where theneedle valve 51 (Figures 2 and 3) is released, the by-passed lowprespressure fluid inthe pipe 29 will lift said valve and flow throughthe pipe Ill into the housing 4| onto the diaphragm 3! of the valve B,thereby opening said valve. When the valve E opens, a pressure drop willoccur in the pipe 29 and above the diaphragm 21, so that the spring 28will open the valve A. This will permit the pressure fluid to flowfreely through the feed pipe 2i and its extensions 22, 23 and 85 to theactuator 86', whereby the piston therein will be elevated thus liftingthe wire line 99 and admitting high pressure lifting fluid from thecasing Ii to the tubing l2 within the well.

When the piston in the actuator reaches its upper limit, the pressure ofthe fluid in the feed pipe, the valves A and B, the bore 28 of the stem26', the housings ll and H, the pipes 29 and 30 and the valve E' willbuild up until the valve A is closed. at which time the flow o! thepressure fluid through the feed pipe will be stopped. The valve E willthen drop closed and the escapement wheel 02 in time will revolvesuiilciently to hold it closed. The valve B will gradually close. due tothe escaping oi the pressure fluid from the pipe II by seeping aroundthe needle valve l1 and its stern II. The flat underside of the valvehead 41 causes a pressure differential across the same, which willassistth'e spring 32 in the closing 01' said valve. It is pointed outthat the pressure within the unit at all times is a low pressure anddoes not go above the predetermined pressure at which the valve A is setto close.

The actuator will remain in its flowing or admitting position because ofthe pressure fluid trapped between it and the valve B. When the flowingpressure of the well fluids in the pipe 22 overcomes the combined forceof the spring 25 and the pressure differential across the valve 69, thevalve D will be opened. This will release the trapped fluid from. thepipe 2| through the bore 66, port 10, pipe 36 and pet cock ll. As thepressure in the pipe 2| reduces, the actuator will lower the wire line98 and cut oil the admission of high pressure lifting fluid from thecasing into the tubing.

It is pointed out that by metering the pressure fluid through-the seat26, relatively small quantities of such fluid at low pressure, may beused and the control elements are not subjected to high fluid pressures.For this reason, a more accurate control may be employed and moreuniform operation thus obtained. Further, no quantities of pressurefluid being accumulated, freezing is eliminated and condensation ispractically negative. The whole system may be quickly drained byremoving a plug A from the bottom of the valve A, and a similar plug Bfrom the bottom of the valve B. The apparatus is economical ascomparatively little pressure fluid is wasted.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A control unit for a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including, ahigh pressure fluid supply conductor, a supply valve having a meteringseat for reducing the fluid pressure, a feed conductor extending fromsaid valve, a feed valve connected in said feed conductor, means foractuating said supply valve, means for actuating said feed valve, meansfor by-passing a portion of the reduced pressure fluid to the actuatingmeans of the supply valve, and means for intermittently supplying theby-passed fluid to the actuating means of the feed valve.

2. A control unit for a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply conductor, a supply valve having a metering seatfor reducing the fluid pressure, a feed conductor extending from saidvalve, a feed valve connected in said feed conductor, means foractuating said supply valve, means for actuating said feed valve, meansfor by-passing a portion of the reduced pressure fluid to the actuatingmeans of the supply valve, means for intermittently supplying theby-passed fluid to the actuating means oi. the feed valve, and apressure fluid operated release valve connected with the feed conductor.

3. A control unit for a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply inlet, means for controlling the flow oi fluidfrom said inlet at a reduced pressure, means for bypassing a, portion ofthe pressure fluid at a reduced pressure from the inlet and utilizingsuch fluid to close the inlet, an automatic actuating valve controllingthe now oithe by-passed fluid, and means for controlling the flow oi!fluid from the inlet connected with said valve for actuation by thereleased by-passed fluid.

4. A control unitior a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply inlet, means for controlling the flow of fluidfrom said inlet at a reduced pressure, means for by-passing a portion ofthe pressure fluid at a reduced pressure from the inlet and utilizingsuch fluid to close the inlet, an atuomatic actuating valve controllingthe flow of the by-passed fluid, means for controlling the flow of fluidfrom the inlet connected with said valve for actuation by the releasedby-passed fluid, means for conducting the pressure fluid from the inletat a reduced pressure arranged to trap such fluid, and means forreleasing the trapped fluid.

5. A control unit for a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including; ahousing, a stand for supporting said housing, a fluid pressure inletpipe entering said housing, a spring-loaded diaphragm supply valve inthe housing connected with said pipe, a spring-loaded diaphragm i'eedvalve mounted in said housing. a feed pipe extending through the housingfrom the supply valve and in which the feed valve is connected, thesupply valve having a by-pass for conducting fluid to the upper side ofits diaphragm, a control valve having intermittently operating means,and means for conducting the by-passed fluid from the control valve tothe upper side oi. the diaphragm of the feed valve.

6. A control unit for a fluid pressure flowing apparatus including, ahousing, a stand for supporting said housing, a fluid pressure inletpipe entering said housing, a springloaded diaphragm supply valve in thehousing connected with said pipe, a spring-loaded diaphragm feed valvemounted in said housing, a feed pipe extending through the housing fromthe'supply valve and in which the feed valve is connected, the supplyvalve having a by-pass for conducting fluid to the upper side oi itsdiaphragm, a control valve having intermittently operating means, meansfor conducting the by-passed fluidi'rom the control valve to the upperside of the diaphragm or the feed valve, and a spring-loaded diaphragmrelease valve mounted in the housing and connected in the. feed pipe. I

7. A control unit ior flowing fluids including, a fluid feed pipe, afluid supply valve connected to one end of said pipe, a feed valveconnected in the feed pipe, a fluid by-pass extending from one .valve tothe other valve, and a control valve having means for intermittentlyopening and closing the by-pass connected in said by-pass from one valveto the other valve.

8. A control unit for flowing fluids including, a fluid teed pipe,- afluid supply valve connected to one end of said pipe, a feed valveconnected in the feed pipe, a fluid by-pass extending from one valve tothe other valve, a control valve having means for intermittently openingand closing the by-pass connected in said by-pass for controlling theflow of fluid through said by-pass from one valve to the other valve, arelease valve connected in the feed pipe beyond the feed valve, and avent connected to the feed pipe.

9. The combination with an actuator, of a feed pipe leading -to saidactuator to ieed a pressure fluid thereto for operating said actuator, asupply valve connected to said pipe for'supplying a pressure fluidthereto at a reduced pressure, a feedvalve connected in the Ic p p $0. rpp g the pressure fluid between said actuator and the feed pipe, wherebysaid actuator is held in an adjusted position, means for by-passingaportion of the low pressure fluid to close the supply valve,automatically operated means for supplying said by passed fluid to thefeed valve to open the latter, and pressure operated means for releasingthe pressure fluid trapped in the feed pipe to free the actuator.

10. A control device including, a fluid supply valve having a meteringseat for supplying fluid at a reduced pressure and a spring pressedmember engaging said seat, a diaphragm connected with said member forlifting it from said seat, means for by-passing fluid from a point aboveand adjacent said seat to the upper side of. said diaphragm, andautomatic means for controlling the by-passed fluid above said diaphragmto build up the pressure thereof to depress said diaphragm and closesaid valve and to release said by-passed ,2

fluid to permit the spring thereof to open said valve, in combinationwith a spring closed feed valve connected with the supply valve andhaving a diaphragm connected with the fluid release of said controlmeans, whereby said diaphragm is depressed to open the feed valve.

11. A control device including, a fluid supply valve having a meteringseat and a spring pressed member closing on said seat, a diaphragmconnected with the valve member for lifting it from its seat, means forlay-passing fluid from above said seat to the upper side of thediaphragm, automatic means for controlling the by-passed fluid abovesaid diaphragm to build up the pressure 01' said fluid to close saidvalve and releasing said pressure to permit the spring to open saidvalve, a spring closed diaphragm opened feed valve connected with thecontrol means, and a conductor extending from the feed valve to thesupply and communicating with the by-passing means for by-passing fluidflowing through the feed valve to the upper side of the diaphragm of thesupp yv valve and the control means.'

12. A system of controlling the flow of fluid which includes, a flowconduit for supplying a fluid under pressure, means connected in saidconduit for controlling the flow of said pressure fluid including meansfor lay-passing a small quantity of said fluid at reduced pressure,means connected in the conduit and controlled by the pressure of saidby-passed fluid to feed said pressure fluid at a reduced pressure, andmeans for releasing the reduced pressure fluid.

13. A system of controlling the lifting of well fluid which includes, awell, a flow line in said well, a flow conduit for supplying a pressurefluid to said well to lift said well fluid, means for controlling theadmission of pressure fluid to said flow line, means connected to saidconduit for controlling the flow or the pressure fluid including meansfor by-passlng a small quantity of fluid at a reduced pressure, meansconnected in said conduit and intermittently actuated by the pressure ofsaid by-passed fluid to control the flow of said pressure fluid admittedto said flow line, and means connected to said flow line and said flowconduit and actuated by the pressure of the flowing well fluid forbuilding up a pressure and arranged to release and reduce the pressureof said pressure fluid in the flow conduit to cut oil the flow of saidpressure fluid to said admission controlling means.

14. A systemot controlling the lilting of well fluid which includes, awell, a flow line in said well for providing a column of well fluid,means for supplying pressure fluid to said well. means for controllingthe admission of pressure fluid to said column oi well fluid, meansconnected to said supply means for by-passing a reduced quantity ofpressure fluid, means connected to 1 said admission controlling means,and means connected to said flow line and actuated by the pressure ofthe flowing well fluid tor building up a pressure diflrential betweensaid intermittently controlled fluid and the pressure of said well thud1g and arranged to release and reduce the pressure 01' saidintermittently controlled pressure fluid, whereby the admission or saidpressure fluid to said column oi well fluid is cut 01!.

5. A system of'controlling the lilting of well gd fluid which includes,a well, a flow line in said well for providing a' column of well fluid.means for supplying a pressure fluid to said well, means for controllingthe admission or pressure fluid to said column 01' well fluid, meansconnected to said supply means for segregating a reduced quantity ofpressure fluid, means connected to said segregating means forintermittently controlling the flow of a portion of said reducedquantity 0! pressure fluid. means for conveying said so reduced quantityoi pressure fluid to operate said admission controlling means, meansconnected to said flow line and actuated by the pressure of the flowingwell fluid for building up a pressure diflerential between saidcontrolled fluid and the as pressure of said well fluid and arranged torelease and reduce-the pressure of said controlled pressure fluid to cutoil the admission 01' said pressure fluid to said column of well fluid,and means connected to said intermittent means for timing thecontrolling of said portion of the reduced quantity of pressure fluid tocontrol the frequency of admission oi said pressure fluid to said columnoi. well fluid.

'16. A system of controlling the lifting of well so fluid whichincludes, a well, a flow line in said well for providing a column ofwell fluid, means for supplying a pressure fluid to said well, means forcontrolling the admission of pressure fluid to said column of wellfluid, means connected to 50 said supply means for intermittentlyby-passing a small quantity of said pressure fluid at a reduced pressureto set up a pressure difl'erential for a predetermined period of time toactuate the pressure fluid admission controlling means 55 for saidcolumn of well fluid to flow said well fluid, means connected to saidby-passing means for cutting oil the by-passing of said small quantityof reduced pressure fluid without terminating the admission and flowingof said pressure 60 fluid to said well fluid, and means connected tosaid flow line and actuated by the pressure of the flowing well fluidfor building up a pressure differential between said reduced pressurefluid and said well fluid and arranged to cut oil the 65 admission oisaid pressure fluid to said column of 17. A system of controlling thelifting of well fluid which includes, a well, a flow line in said wellfor providing a column oi well fluid, means 70 for supplying a pressurefluid to said well means for controlling the admission oi pressure fluidto said column 01 well fluid, means connected to said supply means forflowing a quantity of said pressure fluid at a reduced pressure, means 7connected to said flowing means for controllingtheflowotsaidredueedpressurefluidincluding means for by-passing aportion thereof to set up a prusure diflerential, means for trapping thereduced pressure fluid and maintaining a static state of control, meansactuated by said trapped fluid to operate said adminion controllingmeans, and means connected to said flow line and actuated by thepressure of the flowing well fluid for building up a pressurediflerential between said trapped fluid and the pressure of said wellfluid and arranged to release said trapped reduced pressure fluid to cutoil the admission of prusure fluid to said column oi well 18. In a wellfluid control apparatus the combination with a well and a flow line insaid well for providing a column of well fluid and means for admittingpressure fluid to said column of well fluid and means ior supplyingpressure fluid to the point of admission to said column and an actuatorfor controlling said admission means, of a conductor for conveying saidpressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means, means connected insaid conductor ior regulating the flow of pressure fluid from said-.conductor and for reducing the pressure of the same, a conduit extendingfrom said regulating means to said actuator, means connected insaid'conduit for cutting oi! the flow of pressure fluid through saidconduit to control the operation of said actuator, means for by-passinga portion 0! said pressure fluid-1mm said regulating means to saidcut-oi! means to actuate both said regulating means and said cut-oil!means, a time control device for terminating the flow of said by-passedfluid from said regulating means to said cut-ofl means, and means forreleasing the reduced pressure fluid from said conduit after saidcutofl' means thereof has been closed.

19. In a well fluid control apparatus the combination with a well and aflow line in said well for providing a column of well fluid and meansfor admitting pressure fluid to said column oi well fluid and means forsupplying pressure fluid to the point of admission to said column and anactuator for controlling said admission means, of a conductor forconveying said pressure fluid from said pressure fluid supply means,means connected in said conductor for regulating the flow of pressurefluid from said conductor and for reducing the pressure of the same, aconduit extending from said regulating means to said actuator, meansconnected in said conduit for cutting oi! the flow of pressure fluidthrough said conduit to control the operation of said actuator, meansfor lay-passing a portion of said pressure fluid from said regulatingmeans to said cut-oil means to actuate both said regulating means andsaid cut-ofl means, a time control device for controlling the flow 01'said by-passed fluid from said regulating means to said cut-off means,and means connected to said conductor and actuated by the pressure ofthe flowing well fluid for building up a pressure diiferential betweensaid reduced pressure fluid and the pressure of said well fluid andarranged to release said reduced pressure fluid to cut oil the admissionof pressure fluid to said column of well fluid.

20. A control unit for a pressure fluid flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply pipe, means for regulating the flow oi fluidthrough said pipe at a reduced pressure, means for by-passing a portion01 the pressure fluid from the pipe and utilizing such fluid to closesaid pipe, an automatic valve controlling the flow oi the by-passedfluid, and means connected in said pipe beyond said regulating means forcontrolling the flow of fluid through the pipe and actuated by thereleased by-passed fluid from said valve; said control unit beingmounted on the surface of a well having a casing, a tubing in thecasing, means for supplying pressure fluidto said casing, and meansincluding pressure fluid actuated means for controlling the admission offluid from said casing into said tubing to lift the fluid in saidtubing, said control unit regulating the delivery of pressure fluid tosaid pressure fluid actuated means to control the operation of saidadmission controlling means.

21. A control unit for a pressure fluid flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply pipe, means for regulating the flow of fluidthrough said pipe at a reduced pressure, means for bypassing a portionof the pressure fluid from the pipe and utilizing such fluid to closesaid pipe, an automatic valve controlling the flow of the by-passedfluid, and means connected in said pipe beyond said regulating means forcontrolling the flow of fluid through the pipe and actuated by thereleased by-passed fluid from said valve; said control unit beingmounted on the surface of a well having a casing, a well tubing in thecasing, means for supplying pressure fluid to said casing, meansincluding pressure fluid actuated means for controlling the admission offluid from said casing into said tubing to lift the fluid in saidtubing, said control unit regulating the delivery of pressure fluid tosaid pressure fluid actuated means to control the operation 0! saidadmission controlling means, and means for venting the pressure fluidfrom said control unit to discontinue the actuation of said admissioncontrolling means.

22. A control unit for a pressure fluid flowing apparatus including, apressure fluid supply pipe, means for regulating the flow of fluidthrough said pipe at a reduced pressure, means for bypassing a portionof the fluid from the pipe and utilizing such fluid to close said pipe,an automatic valve controlling the flow of the lay-passed fluid, andmeans connected in said pipe beyond said regulating means forcontrolling the flow of fluid through the pipe and actuated by thereleased by-passed fluid from said valve; said control unit beingmounted on the surface of a well having a casing, a tubing in thecasing, means for supplying pressure fluid to said casing, meansincluding pressure fluid actuated means for controlling the admission offluid from said casing into said tubing to lift the fluid in saidtubing, said control unit regulating the delivery of pressure fluid tosaid pressure fluid actuated means to control the operation of saidadmission controlling means, and time-controlled means on said controlunit for regulating the actuation of said automatic valve to control theoperation of said unit.

23. A control unit for flowing fluid including, a fluid feedpipe, afluid valve connected to said pipe to control the flow of fluid intosaid pipe, a flow control valve connected in the feed pipe beyond thefluid valve, a fluid by-pass extending from one valve to the othervalve, a control valve having means for intermittently opening andclosing the by-pass, the fluid flowing through said by-pass actuatingsaid flow control valve; said control unit being mounted on the surfaceof a well having a casing therein, a well tubing in the casing, meansfor supplying pressure fluid to said casing, and means includingpressure fluid actuated means for controlling the admission of fluidfrom said casing into said tubing to lift the fluid in said tubing, saidcontrol unit regulating the delivery of pressure fluid to said pressurefluid actuated means to control the operation of said admissioncontrolling means.

24. A control unit for flowing fluid including, a fluid feed pipe, afluid valve connected to said pipe, to control the flow of fluid intosaid pipe, a flow control valve connected in the feed pipe beyond thefluid valve, a fluid by-pass extending from one valve to the othervalve, a control valve having means for intermittently opening andclosing the by-pass, the fluid flowing through said by-pass actuatingsaid flow control valve; said control unit being mounted on the surfaceof a well having a casing therein, a well tubing in the casing, meansfor supplying pressure fluid to said casing, means including pressurefluid actuated means for controlling the admission of fluid fromsaidcaslng into said tubing to lift the fluid in said tubing, saidcontrol unit regulating the delivery of pressure fluid to said pressurefluid actuated means to control the operation of said admissioncontrolling means, and clockactuated means on said control unit forregulating the actuation of said automatic valve to control theoperation of said unit.

' JEDDY D. NIXON.

